The Adoption Roadmap Podcast

Rebecca Gruenspan
  • 5.0 (37)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

Your dream is to become a mom. My dream is to help you get there. I am Rebecca Gruenspan, a single mom through domestic adoption and an adoption consultant for over a decade. I’ll be your guide, along with other adoption professionals and members of the adoption constellation, walking you step by step down this beautiful and complex path of adopting your baby. This isn't just another podcast sharing adoption stories. If you're genuinely committed to diving in with an open heart, eager to learn everything there is to know about adopting a baby, this is for you!

  1. 2d ago

    Ep. #143: The Emotional Work Before Adoption | Julie Fried

    There’s a difference between preparing for adoption… and preparing yourself to become a parent. When systems strategist, podcaster, and adoptive mom Julie Fried began her adoption journey, she thought she could research her way through it. Spreadsheets, Facebook groups, Google searches—she approached adoption like any other complex project. But what she discovered was that the biggest work wasn’t logistical. It was emotional. In this honest and deeply thoughtful conversation, Julie shares the lessons she learned about grief, open adoption, slowing down, and making peace with a path that looked different than the one she had imagined. From pausing after her home study to process infertility, to navigating an unexpected NICU experience, to making one of the hardest decisions her family has ever faced, Julie offers wisdom that every hopeful adoptive parent needs to hear. In this episode, we talk about: Why researching more isn't always the same as moving forward in your adoption journeyThe emotional work every hopeful adoptive parent should do before becoming a parentHow grief and adoption can coexist—and why processing one strengthens the otherWhat Julie learned after shifting from "no" to embracing the possibilities of open adoptionHow a NICU stay became an unexpected gift during the transition into parenthoodThe heartbreaking decision to decline adopting her daughter's half-sibling—and how they made peace with it About Julie Fried: Julie Fried is the host of The System for Everything podcast, where she shares practical systems that simplify business, motherhood, and everyday life. A systems strategist by profession and adoptive mom to her daughter Ellie, Julie brings honesty, empathy, and thoughtful perspective to conversations about adoption, infertility, and parenting. Through her own journey, she has become a passionate advocate for slowing down, processing grief, and embracing adoption with openness and intention. Connect with Julie: Website: https://dallasgirlfriday.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesystemforeverything?utm_source=chatgpt.com Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-system-for-everything/id1818831243 RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact Are You Ready to Adopt? Take the Quiz to Find Out → https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz Before you choose an agency, spend money, or move forward—start with these 10 honest conversations that will help you: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/10-conversations-before-you-adopt   Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

    Ep. #143: The Emotional Work Before Adoption | Julie Fried

  2. Jul 22

    Ep. #142: Birth Mom & Adoptive Mom Together: The Reality of Open Adoption with Lindsay McKenzie & Hali

    Building an open adoption relationship isn't about having the perfect plan. It's about choosing honesty, trust, and putting the child at the center...again and again. In this deeply moving conversation, Rebecca sits down with adoptive mom Lindsay McKenzie and birth mom Hali to share what open adoption has actually looked like for them over the past six years. Together, they pull back the curtain on the fears, insecurities, boundaries, and beautiful moments that have shaped their relationship—and why openness isn't something you schedule, it's something you build. From meeting for the very first time to navigating difficult conversations, milestones, and the questions their son is beginning to ask, Lindsay and Hali offer an honest, hopeful look at what happens when two mothers choose to work together with love, respect, and one shared priority: their child. Whether you're considering adoption, preparing to meet an expectant parent, or already navigating an open adoption relationship, this episode is filled with wisdom that will stay with you long after it ends. In this episode, we talk about: What hopeful adoptive parents are really afraid of before meeting an expectant mom—and what helps those fears fadeWhat open adoption actually looks like years later (and why it doesn't require rigid rules or schedules)How trust is built through honest conversations, healthy boundaries, and mutual respectWhy letting your child lead conversations about their adoption story creates confidence instead of confusionThe language that strengthens connection—and the phrases both adoptive and birth parents wish people would stop usingPractical advice for anyone preparing to build an open adoption relationship rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, and love About Lindsay McKenzie & Hali: Lindsay McKenzie is an adoptive mother, adoption advocate, and adoption strategist with RG Adoption Consulting. After navigating infertility and her own adoption journey, she now helps hopeful adoptive families prepare for the emotional, practical, and relational realities of adoption. Lindsay is also the author of The Story of You, a children's book created to help adopted children grow up knowing and celebrating their unique story from the very beginning. Hali is Miles' birth mother and a passionate advocate for openness, honesty, and child-centered adoption. Through her relationship with Lindsay and their shared commitment to keeping Miles at the heart of every decision, she is helping reshape what open adoption can look like. Together, Lindsay and Hali are committed to showing families that healthy, respectful relationships between adoptive and birth parents are not only possible—they can become one of adoption's greatest gifts. RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact Are You Ready to Adopt? Take the Quiz to Find Out → https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz Before you choose an agency, spend money, or move forward—start with these 10 honest conversations that will help you: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/10-conversations-before-you-adopt Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

    Ep. #142: Birth Mom & Adoptive Mom Together: The Reality of Open Adoption with Lindsay McKenzie & Hali

  3. Jul 15

    Ep. #141: They Didn't Grow in My Belly: Talking to Adopted Kids About Bodies and Where They Came From

    Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the story of how life begins. But for adopted children, donor-conceived children, and children born through surrogacy or IVF, traditional conversations about reproduction often leave them feeling like an exception instead of part of the story. In this episode, Rebecca sits down with family physician and educator Dr. Robin Dickinson to explore how parents can talk about bodies, reproduction, consent, and adoption in ways that build confidence instead of confusion. Together, they unpack why the language we use matters, how to make birth stories both truthful and empowering, and why these conversations should start much earlier than most parents realize. Whether you're parenting through adoption or simply want to raise body-confident, emotionally secure children, this conversation offers practical tools that every family can use. In this episode, we talk about: Why every child shares the same origin story—and how that simple truth creates belongingHow traditional sex education unintentionally leaves adopted children out of the conversationWhy using anatomically correct language helps protect children and build body confidenceHow to tell your child's adoption story honestly while honoring their birth parents with compassionWhat "the body remembers" means for children adopted at birth and how to parent with greater sensitivityHow to teach consent, healthy relationships, and body safety from the earliest years—not just during the "sex talk" About Dr. Robin: Dr. Robin Dickinson is a family physician, educator, and creator of a comprehensive body literacy and reproduction curriculum designed to help parents have honest, age-appropriate conversations with children. Passionate about inclusive education, Dr. Robin teaches families how to talk about bodies, reproduction, consent, and relationships in ways that affirm every child's story—including adoptees, donor-conceived children, and children born through surrogacy or assisted reproductive technology. Through her work, she helps parents replace shame with confidence and create conversations that foster belonging from the very beginning. Connect with Dr. Robin: Website: https://docrobinschool.com/ Free Parent Guides: https://docrobinschool.com/talk Resources Mentioned: Project 127: https://www.project127.org/ The Body Keeps the Score: https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact Are You Ready to Adopt? Take the Quiz to Find Out → https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz Before you choose an agency, spend money, or move forward—start with these 10 honest conversations that will help you: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/10-conversations-before-you-adopt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadoptionroadmap   Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

    Ep. #141: They Didn't Grow in My Belly: Talking to Adopted Kids About Bodies and Where They Came From

  4. Jul 8

    Ep. #140: Love Is Not Enough: What Adoptive Parents Don't Want to Hear | Isaac Melber

    What does it really mean to belong? For Isaac Melber, the answer wasn't found the day he was adopted. It was built through countless small moments of love, consistency, and the freedom to embrace every part of his story. In this episode, Rebecca sits down with author, adoptee, and aspiring pastor Isaac Melber to explore life through the eyes of someone who remembers being adopted. From growing up in a remote village in Ethiopia to navigating identity, grief, anger, faith, and eventually returning to his birth country, Isaac shares a perspective that every hopeful and adoptive parent needs to hear. This conversation is filled with practical wisdom, powerful storytelling, and gentle reminders that adoption isn't about erasing a child's past—it's about helping them carry it with love, honesty, and hope. In this episode, we talk about: The small moments that create a true sense of belonging beyond simply being lovedWhy a child's anger is often directed at their story—not their adoptive parentsHow to talk honestly about loss without defining a child's future by itThe difference between helping a child feel chosen versus making them feel rescuedWhy embracing a child's birth culture should become part of the entire family's cultureWhat returning to Ethiopia taught Isaac about identity, healing, and finding peace without having every answer About Isaac: Isaac Melber is an Ethiopian adoptee, author, speaker, and aspiring pastor. Adopted at five years old by a family in Kentucky, Isaac now shares his story to encourage adoptees, adoptive families, and anyone wrestling with identity, loss, and belonging. His debut memoir, Twice Delivered: A Story of Two Families, Two Worlds, and One Redeeming Love, explores how faith, family, and truth shaped his journey across two worlds while offering hope to others walking their own. Connect with Isaac: Website: https://www.isaacmelber.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaacmelber/ Twice Delivered: A Story of Two Families, Two Worlds, and One Redeeming Love: https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Delivered-Families-Worlds-Redeeming/dp/B0H2HH6785 RG Adoption Consulting RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact Are You Ready to Adopt? Take the Quiz to Find Out → https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz Before you choose an agency, spend money, or move forward—start with these 10 honest conversations that will help you: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/10-conversations-before-you-adopt   Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

    Ep. #140: Love Is Not Enough: What Adoptive Parents Don't Want to Hear | Isaac Melber

  5. Jul 1

    Ep. #139: Turning the Mic Around: Rebecca Gruenspan Gets Interviewed About The Adoption Roadmap Podcast

    This week's episode flips the mic. Instead of Rebecca Gruenspan interviewing a guest, you're hearing Rebecca be the guest — pulled from her appearance on Podcast Cafe hosted by podcast producer Hayleigh Hayhurst, where she opened up about how The Adoption Roadmap Podcast came to life, why she started podcasting after years of putting it off, and what 100+ episodes have taught her about adoption, audience-building, and herself. Rebecca shares the real story behind her adoption consulting business, RG Adoption Consulting, and how her own journey to motherhood as a single mom through domestic adoption turned into a mission to make sure no one goes through the adoption process alone. In this episode: How Rebecca's adoption journey led her to become an adoption consultant — and eventually launch her own businessWhy her first three episodes are still her most-downloaded — and what that says about what listeners actually wantThe "tell-it-like-it-is" philosophy that shapes every interview, and why she avoids the fluffy adoption stories already out thereHow adoption has changed over Rebecca's 13 years in the industry: rising costs, falling numbers, more openness, and the growing role of adoption consultantsThe topics in adoption that never go away: transracial identity, drug exposure, openness, and the home studyWho RG Adoption Consulting works withRG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠ ⁠ Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact⁠ The Adoption Roadmap: The Four-Step Process To Adopting Your Baby In Less Than A Year → Buy Here on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Adoption-Roadmap-Four-Step-Process-Adopting/dp/B0CKM6KJSV Before you choose an agency, spend money, or move forward—start with these 10 honest conversations that will help you: ⁠https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/10-conversations-before-you-adopt⁠   Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

    Ep. #139: Turning the Mic Around: Rebecca Gruenspan Gets Interviewed About The Adoption Roadmap Podcast

  6. Jun 24

    EP. #138: The Adoption Roadmap, Step 1B: From Match to Placement

    The moment every hopeful adoptive parent dreams about is hearing the words, "They picked you." But what happens next? In step 1B of the Adoption Roadmap, Rebecca walks through the realities of adoption after a match occurs. From evaluating adoption situations and understanding potential risks to navigating the hospital experience, ICPC, openness, legal finalization, and the financial realities of adoption, this episode provides a practical roadmap for what comes after the waiting. Rebecca shares the questions every adoptive family should ask, the red flags to watch for, how disruptions typically happen, and what to expect emotionally and logistically as you move closer to bringing your child home. Whether you're actively waiting to be matched or simply trying to understand the full adoption journey, this episode offers the clarity, preparation, and perspective every hopeful parent needs. What We Cover: What happens after you're matched with an expectant motherRisk factors to consider before accepting a matchUnderstanding adoption disruptions and financial exposureNavigating the hospital experience with empathy and graceWhat ICPC is and why waiting is part of the processThe shift toward open adoption and why it mattersBirth father rights and legal considerationsWhat finalization looks like after placementThe true cost of adoption and how families fund itResources, tax credits, and financial support options for adoptive families RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact The Adoption Roadmap: The Four-Step Process To Adopting Your Baby In Less Than A Year → Buy Here on Amazon Before you choose an agency, spend money, or move forward—start with these 10 honest conversations that will help you: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/10-conversations-before-you-adopt   Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow and 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

  7. Jun 17

    Ep. #137: Cannabis, Therapy, DUIs & Adoption: Do Past Mistakes Matter? | Molly Berger on Home Studies

    This episode tackles one of the most anxiety-inducing parts of the adoption process: the home study. For many hopeful adoptive parents, the home study can feel like an investigation. They're worried about old mistakes, mental health diagnoses, fertility struggles, finances, medical conditions, past trauma, or whether one wrong answer could jeopardize their dream of becoming parents. In this episode, Rebecca sits down with Molly Berger, licensed social worker at The Adoption Center of Illinois, adoptive mom, and foster parent, for an honest conversation about the questions families are often afraid to ask out loud. This conversation offers reassurance, practical guidance, and a behind-the-scenes look at a process that often feels mysterious and intimidating. If you've ever wondered whether your past could impact your ability to adopt, this episode is for you. In this episode, we talk about: • What home study professionals are really looking for during the adoption process • Whether cannabis use, alcohol consumption, and medical marijuana impact approval • How agencies evaluate mental health diagnoses, therapy, and medication use • Why past trauma, infertility grief, and life challenges are often conversations—not disqualifiers • How finances are assessed and what financial stability actually means • The role chronic illness, cancer diagnoses, and medical conditions can play in a home study • The surprising emotional similarities between expectant parents and hopeful adoptive parents About Molly: Molly Berger is a licensed social worker with The Adoption Center of Illinois, where she works with both expectant parents and hopeful adoptive families. With more than a decade of experience in adoption, Molly has supported families through home studies, counseling, adoption planning, reunions, and post-placement support. She is also an adoptive mother and foster parent, bringing both professional expertise and personal experience to her work. Molly is passionate about helping families navigate adoption with honesty, education, compassion, and a child-centered approach. Connect with Molly: Website: https://www.adoptioncenterofillinois.org/blog/authorbio/molly-berger/ RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact Are You Ready to Adopt? Take the Quiz to Find Out → https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz Before you choose an agency, spend money, or move forward—start with these 10 honest conversations that will help you: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/10-conversations-before-you-adopt   Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU! For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

    Ep. #137: Cannabis, Therapy, DUIs & Adoption: Do Past Mistakes Matter? | Molly Berger on Home Studies

  8. Jun 10

    Ep. #136: Why an Adoption Consultant? Three Families, Three Journeys, Zero Filter

    No two adoption journeys look the same — and that’s exactly what makes this conversation so powerful. In this special panel episode, Rebecca sits down with three adoptive parents whose paths to parenthood couldn’t be more different: Lisa, a single mom by choice; Kirk, an adoptee turned adoptive father raising a son with his husband; and Jennifer, who navigated infertility, open adoption, and the unexpected twists that ultimately led her to her daughter. Together, they share the moments that challenged them, surprised them, and ultimately shaped the families they have today. From navigating fertility struggles and years of waiting to sitting beside birth mothers in hospital rooms and welcoming children through adoption, this conversation is filled with the kind of honest insight only lived experience can provide. Whether you're just beginning your adoption journey or are already parenting through adoption, this episode offers reassurance, perspective, and a reminder that there is no one right way to build a family. In this episode, we talk about: • The moment each family knew adoption was the right path for them • The assumptions they had about adoption that turned out to be completely wrong • How open adoption looked different than they expected • The reality of fall-throughs, waiting, and navigating uncertainty • What it was like meeting birth parents and being in the hospital for placement • How their unique family structures shaped their adoption experiences • Raising children through adoption while honoring identity, culture, and belonging • The lessons they've learned that they wish every hopeful adoptive parent knew • Why so many of them nearly gave up — and why they're grateful they didn't About Our Guests: Lisa is a single mom by choice who built her family through adoption after navigating both fertility treatments and foster care. Her journey offers a unique perspective on perseverance, parenting, and embracing the unexpected path to motherhood. Kirk is an adoptee and adoptive father who, alongside his husband, welcomed their son through adoption after experiencing multiple fall-throughs and a NICU placement. His perspective bridges both sides of the adoption experience as both a child and parent touched by adoption. Jennifer is an adoptive mother, licensed clinical social worker, and advocate for open adoption. Alongside her husband, she welcomed her daughter through adoption and shares openly about building relationships with birth parents, navigating uncertainty, and parenting with empathy and connection. Together, their stories highlight the many different ways families are built through adoption — and the common threads of resilience, hope, and love that connect them all. RG Adoption Consulting Website → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠  Book a Complimentary Adoption Strategy Session → ⁠https://rgadoptionconsulting.com/contact Are You Ready to Adopt? Take the Quiz to Find Out → https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/quiz Before you choose an agency, spend money, or move forward—start with these 10 honest conversations that will help you: https://www.rgadoptionconsulting.com/10-conversations-before-you-adopt Tune in to The Adoption Roadmap Podcast every Wednesday. If you like what you hear, I'd appreciate a follow, a 5-star rating & review! THANK YOU!   For questions about adoption, episode suggestions, or to appear as a guest on The Adoption Roadmap Podcast, email⁠⁠⁠⁠ support@rgadoptionconsulting.com⁠⁠⁠

See All (144)

Trailer

5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Your dream is to become a mom. My dream is to help you get there. I am Rebecca Gruenspan, a single mom through domestic adoption and an adoption consultant for over a decade. I’ll be your guide, along with other adoption professionals and members of the adoption constellation, walking you step by step down this beautiful and complex path of adopting your baby. This isn't just another podcast sharing adoption stories. If you're genuinely committed to diving in with an open heart, eager to learn everything there is to know about adopting a baby, this is for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Rebecca Gruenspan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    144
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rebecca Gruenspan
  • Show Website
    The Adoption Roadmap Podcast